Ts’ehlanyane National Park is known for its mountain landscapes, rich subalpine plant diversity, waterfalls and varied birdlife. Rare, heath-like mountain fynbos vegetation grows on the upper slopes, with aloes, irises and other flowering plants. These plants bloom especially profusely in spring. The recurring spring bloom adds a distinct seasonal note to the diverse natural landscape.

Natural diversity in Ts’ehlanyane National Park

More than 20 mammal species are protected in Ts’ehlanyane; the most striking include eland and rock hyraxes. This means the park brings together a range of natural attractions: subalpine plants, spring flowers, birdlife and protected mammals. The number of species gives the wildlife theme particular breadth, with eland and rock hyraxes as specific examples.

A patch of forest dominated by Leucosidea sericea, an evergreen tree, grows in the Holomo River Valley. The tree’s Afrikaans name is Ouhout (old wood). In contrast to the plants that bloom profusely on the upper slopes in spring, the river valley draws attention to an evergreen tree. Two distinct plant features therefore sit side by side: seasonal flowers and a forest shaped by Leucosidea sericea.

Technology and history

The ‘Muela Visitors Centre offers a technological perspective. A presentation and a tour of the operations building are available there. The tour includes the control panel for water generation and delivery to South Africa, the underground power station and the ‘Muela reservoir. The visitor centre is located below the operations building; the hydroelectric power station is in Butha-Buthe District. The presentation and the tour are two distinct offerings, and the elements listed are part of the tour. This makes a technical visit in Muela a counterpart to the park’s natural attractions. Check the latest visitor arrangements before your trip.

The Letseng diamond mine adds a historical dimension. It was Lesotho’s first diamond mine and produced the country’s first 95-carat diamond. The mine offers a different focus from the park’s natural surroundings and the tour at the Muela Visitors Centre: here, the history of diamond mining takes centre stage. Butha-Buthe thus offers nature observation, a technical visit and a specific topic from the country’s history.

A hike on a larger Lesotho itinerary

As part of the wider destination of Lesotho, a 32 km hike leads from Bokong Nature Reserve to Ts’ehlanyane National Park. The route is designed to take two to three days and crosses an alpine plateau sometimes called the Roof of Africa. Its distance and duration make this a multi-day hike, extending the view of the national park with a route through Lesotho. Confirm current route conditions locally. As a seasonal contrast to the spring bloom, the Lepaqoa Falls in Bokong Nature Reserve often freeze into a column of ice in winter.

Discover more destinations: Mokomane, Selomos, Monantsa, Mutlanyane, Molefis, Berea, Qacha's Nek, Thaba-Tseka.

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